Procedural 3D Animation in Visualising Culturally Significant Sites : Case - The Construction of the Church of Ylistaro 1847 – 1852

Abstract

The digitalisation of cultural heritage is an expanding and developing field, and the use of 3D measurement is an invaluable tool not only for construction, but archaeology and projects in the field of culture as well. Being able to document monuments, buildings, and heritage sites is not only useful for researchers and interested laypeople, but can also aid in reconstructions after disasters. 3D artists work in the intersection point between engineers, researchers, historians, and laypeople as they refine and develop the raw measurements into discernible and communicative information for everyone to enjoy and understand.

This thesis describes the role of a 3D artist in a documentary film production where state-of-the-art 3D measurements, historical research, local knowledge, filmography, and procedural 3D animation techniques all combined in visualising the construction phases of a grand 19th century Finnish stone, brick, and wood church. It elucidates how a 3D artist fits into the production stages of the documentary film Näin rakennettiin Ylistaron kirkko - This is How the Ylistaro Church was Built (author’s translation), and how 3D measuring, modelling and animating was used to visualise the construction processes.

The methods used in the production of the animations were found to be well suited to the task, the animations were delivered on time and of acceptable quality, and the film received praise for its depiction and explanation of a construction project never captured on camera.